carving

Carving is one of the oldest sculptural techniques. It is a reductive process; starting with a solid block, the sculptor removes material using chisels and other tools to 'reveal' the finished form. Traditional carving materials include stone, especially marble, and fine grained woods.

casting

Casting is a method of producing one or more copies of a sculpture. Typically, the original sculpture is modelled as usual and covered with a moulding material which sets hard when dry. The mould is then separated to release the original sculpture. Once the mould is reassembled, the casting material is poured in to the void and left to set. Traditionally, molten bronze is used as the casting material, but modern alternatives include resin. When the cast sculpture has cooled, or cured, the mould is again separated to release it, and reassembled ready to cast the next copy.

The cast sculpture may then require some finishing work to remove mould lines and other imperfections.

Due to the need to

ciment fondu

Ciment fondu is a type of calcium aluminate cement used for constructing moulds. Typically ciment fondu needs to used as a composite material reinforced with fibre glass, building up the mould in series of layers.

cold cast bronze

A modern method of casting sculptures in which the casting material is a resin mixed with powdered bronze. The finished sculpture has a surface which looks very similar to a traditionally cast bronze although it tends to be much lighter.

D

direct carving

Direct carving is a 20th century term used to describe a less planned approach to carving in which the sculptor carves the finished sculpture without using intermediate models or maquettes. The sculptor either works from memory or works whilst observing the subject. In some respects it can be seen as a return to the direct approach used in primitive art.

K

kinetic sculpture

A kinetic sculpture is a sculpture which is designed to move. The movement can be driven by interaction with the viewer, or automatically using motors or even air currents in the case of a mobile.

M

maquette

A maquette is a small scale model for a finished sculpture. It is used to visualise and test shapes and ideas without incurring the cost and effort of producing a full scale sculpture. It is the analogue of the painter cartoon or sketch.

For commissioned sculptures, especially monumental public sculptures, a maquette may be used to show the client how the finished work will fit in the proposed site.

A maquette may also refer to a prototype for a video game or any other type of prototype.

Alberto Giacometti modelling in clay in preparation for casting a sculpture in bronze

modelling

Modelling is one of the most common techniques for sculpting. It is an additive process in which material is steadily built up to produce the finished figure. Unlike carving, the sculptor often also has the option of correcting mistakes by removing or reshaping material. Modelling requires a malleable or plastic material which is later cured or fired to set it hard. Typical modelling materials include clay, wax, plaster and papier mache.

Frequently the modelling material has limited structural strength and will need the support of an armature.

mould

A mould is a reversed impression of a sculpture which is used to cast replica sculptures. The material used to construct the mould needs to accurately reproduce the surface detail of the original sculpture, whilst also being strong enough to keep its shape during casting and resilient enough to retain detail after multiple castings.

Typical moulding materials include rubber, especially latex rubber, plaster and composites such as ciment fondu.

P

plaster cast

A plaster cast is a copy of a sculpture, which is cast in plaster. A plaster cast can accurately reproduce the details of the original sculpture, but is usually much less durable.

S

sand casting

A method of casting typically used for casting wrought iron, in which the mould is constructed from compacted sand. By its nature, the mould can only be used once and needs to be reformed for each casting.

T

truth to materials

The term truth to materials relates to 20th century #direct carving in which the sculptor responds to the nature of the block being carved as much as the subject. Changes in colouration and imperfections revealed whilst carving the block are incorporated as features in the finished sculpture. Since the sculpture doesn't know in advance what imperfections will be revealed during the course of carving, a more flexible and fluid approach is required.

References

• Glass, F.J., Modelling and Sculpture: A Practical Treatise for Students, With a Brief History of the Art, B.T. Batsford LTD., London 1929

• Gross, Chaim, The Technique of Wood Sculpture, Vista House Publishers, New York 1957

• Hoffman, Malvina, Sculpture, Insida and Out, Bonanza Books, New York 1939

• Jagger, Sargent, Modelling and Sculpture in the Making, The Studio Limited, London 1933

• Miller, Richard McDermott, Figure Sculpture in Wax and Plaster, Dover Press, New York 1971

• Putnam, Brenda, The Sculptor's Way: A Guide to Modelling and Sculpture, Farrar & Rinehart, Inc., New York 1939

• Rich, Jack C., The Materials and Methods of Sculpture, Oxford University Press, New York 1967

• Silvercruys, Suzanne, A Primer of Sculpture, G.P. Putnam's Sons, New York 1942

• Slobodkin, Louis, Sculpture; Principles and Practice, Dover Publications, New York 1973, reprint of 1949 edition

• Topal, Carol Weisman, Children, Clay and Sculpture, Davis Publications, Worceser, Massachutts 1983

• Zorach, William, Zorach Explains Sculpture: What It Means and How It Is Made, Tudor Publishing Company, New York 1960